The quintessential all-road performance bargain splits from its Impreza roots.

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What It Is: A next-gen Subaru WRX mule prancing about in the body of a current Impreza sedan. Until now, the turbocharged WRX has been based on contemporary Impreza bones, but the new one—and the even-harder-core STI variant—will be split off from the Impreza lineup both in name and mechanical makeup. So although the car seen in these pictures resembles a current-generation Impreza four-door, the 2014 WRX will look quite different.

Why It Matters: The turbocharged WRX is one of the go-to options for enthusiasts looking for performance on a budget, and it’s pretty much the only option in its price bracket when it comes to quick, fun-to-drive, all-wheel-drive, pseudo rally cars. (Mitsubishi’s conceptually similar Lancer Ralliart doesn’t really cut it—it’s neither particularly quick or fun to drive.) Furthermore, this WRX will serve as the basis for the next STI, which competes directly with Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution, the Ralliart’s bigger brother that actually does deliver big-time thrills.

Subaru now should be able to offer the WRX with the kind of interior quality and features buyers expect in the mid-$20,000 price range—one of the current WRX’s weakest points is a cabin that was meant to also serve in an $18,000 budget box.

Platform: A large part of Subaru’s master plan to divide the WRX from the Impreza includes giving the sportier model its own dedicated platform—or one as unique as it can be using Subaru’s limited architectural resources, anyway. The key giveaways that this Impreza-bodied prototype isn’t a run-of-the-mill economy sedan include the grafted-on, WRX-trademark hood scoop with ducting to the turbocharged engine’s intercooler; the quad exhaust outlets sticking out of rough rear-bumper cutouts; and the current-generation WRX wheels. Details on the next WRX’s appearance are scarce, but it could wear bodywork inspired by Subaru’s Advanced Tourer concept from last year’s Tokyo auto show. Whether the WRX continues to be offered as both a sedan and hatchback remains to be seen, but we expect to see both body styles.

Powertrain: We’ve already confirmed that the 2014 WRX will be powered by a new, turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer four; the engine will of course spin all four wheels. The new turbo four comes from the same FA engine family as does the BRZ sports car’s naturally aspirated 2.0-liter, but swaps that car’s Toyota-derived direct- and port-injection system for Subaru’s own direct-injection setup. Subaru’s main reason for swapping out the current WRX’s turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer four for the 2.0-liter unit is improved fuel economy.

In terms of power, the 2.5-liter boxer four isn’t exactly lacking—it makes 265 hp in the WRX and 305 in the STI. Don’t be surprised if the new 2.0-liter boasts higher output in both applications, however; Subaru has confirmed that the next-gen STI will have at least 300 hp, so a modest increase for the WRX is possible. The 2014 WRX’s turbo FA engine has already debuted in the Japanese-market Legacy sedan, where it makes 296 hp. Right now, the WRX is available only with a five-speed manual transmission (the STI gets a row-your-own six-speed), but the test mule in these spy photos has a six-speed shift pattern on its shift knob, so it looks as though the new car will get an additional forward gear.

Estimated Arrival Time and Price: The new Subaru WRX will appear next year as a 2014 model, although the more-powerful STI variant may arrive a bit later. Now that WRX has been separated from the Impreza, it could be pushed a bit further upmarket and get a more-upmarket price, too. We hope it doesn’t increase by too much: The current WRX starts at $26,565 for either the sedan or five-door hatch, delivering a hell of a lot of bang for the buck.